Electric memory latch device for piano having electric chord and run playing mechanism



Dec. 8, 1964 L VON GUNTEN 3,160,049

ELECTRIC MEMORY LATCH DEVICE FOR PIANO HAVING ELECTRIC CHORD AND RUNPLAYING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 2. [ee1:. a? Gaza? Dec. 8, 1964 L. VON GUNTEN 3,160,049 ELECTRIC MEMORY LATCHDEVICE FOR PIANO HAVING ELECTRIC CHORD AND RUN PLAYING MECHANISM 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1961 INVENTOR. ..Vo2r 5102502 Lee L.

Dec. 8, 1964 VON GUNTEN 3,160,049

ELECTRIC MEMORY LATCH DEVICE FOR PIANO HAVING ELECTRIC CHORD AND RUNPLAYING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

R I [65y Z. We}? 62072501 f7 Myrna.

ATTORNEY;

3,160,049 CTRIC Dec. 8, 1964 VON GUNTEN ELECTRIC MEMORY LATCH DEVICE FORPIANO HAVING ELEI CHORD AND RUN PLAYING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 3, 1961 W a/n/Q/ ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1964 L. L. VON GUNTEN ELECTRICMEMORY LATCH DEVICE FOR PIANO HAVING ELECTRIC CHORD AND RUN PLAYINGMECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 3, 1961 m w 6 m M W k W u d 5&3 .Lf $30. 0. B 5 g wm 0000 0000 0000 Q oooo oooo kwfivoooo wwroktsw ZowmATTOHNEY6' United States Patent 0 "Ft A Illinois Filed Felt. 3, 1.961,Ser. No. 87,026 16 Qlairns. (@l. (Ed-45) The present invention relatesto improvements in pianos, and more particularly to new and improvedelectric memory latch means for a piano having electric chord and runplaying means.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSerial No. 794,902, filed February 24, 1959, and entitled Piano HavingElectric Playing Means Therefor.

As disclosed in my aforesaid copending application, the improved pianowas provided with electric chord and run playing means whichincorporated means in the form of a multi-contact sostenuto switch forsustaining or holding a chord played in the control octave of the piano,while enabling the playing of run or arpeggio keys in several octaves,in harmony with the chord keys. As a consequence, the person playing thepiano could have both hands free for playing runs in harmony with theheld chord. However, the sostenuto switch held the chord keys downduring the playing of the runs, with two undesirable effects.

First, the runs were limited to that portion of the piano keyboard abovethe control octave, and could not be extended down into the richer andmore mellow section used as the control octave, because the chord keysin the control octave being held down, could not be sounded again aspart of the run. Secondly, the necessity of holding the chord made itdifficult for the operator to maintain the rhythm, because the left handmusic was virtually at a standstill while the run was being played.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide new andimproved electric memory latch means which not only completelyeliminates the sostenuto switch formerly required, but also remembersthe chord played in the control octave after the chord keys have beenreleased, and enables or makes available any desired number of runplaying keys both in harmony with and including the aforesaid chordkeys, thereby making it possible to extend the runs down as far asdesired into the deeper section of the keyboard and to permit the tempoof the left hand to keep moving steadily, even though a run is inprogress.

Another object is to provide such electric memory latch means which maybe actuated by the conventional piano sustaining pedal (sometimes calledthe damper pedal or loud pedal), thereby making the action of theinventive means responsive to conventional piano playing practices withno unusual effort or skill being required on the part of the player, asit is common practice both to hold the sustaining pedal when playing anarpeggio and to release such pedal momentarily when changing chords.

Still another object is to provide such memory latch means which mightalso be actuated by alternate means independently of the sustainingpedal, in order to permit playing of chromatic scales with the pianodampers on.

A further object is to provide such memory latch means which (1) isadjustable and thereby readily adapted for use with any piano,regardless of the spacing between the various groups of keys whichvaries with each manufacturer; (2) is simple, yet rugged in constructionand capable of repeated usage over long periods of time, and (3) is mosteffective and eflicient in operation.

bufifldl l Patented Dec. 8, 1964 ice Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a modern upright spinet piano incorporatingan electric chord and run playing mechanism located at the front ends ofthe keys, and with a portion of the keyboard cover being broken away toillustrate the spacing between groups of keys at their rear ends and apreferred embodiment of the inventive memory latch means associated wtihsuch keys;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the piano illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the broken away portion of FIG. 1 to betterillustrate the key spacing and the preferred embodiment of the inventivememory latch means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view illustrating a portion ofthe keyboard underlying a key in the inoperative or undepressedposition, a normally open switch and the inventive memory latch means ofFIG. 3 including a solenoid actuated latch finger, all arranged abovethe key, a preferred type of piano action associated with such key, anda preferred arrangement of key actuating solenoids and their mountingmeans disposed below the aforesaid piano action;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to MG. 4, but on a slightly largerscale, with the key actuating solenoids and piano action being omitted,and illustrating the key in undepressed or inoperative position, thelatch finger moved toward latching position after being energized by thesolenoid, butbeing held by the open switch prior to depression'oroperation of the piano keys;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating thepiano key in operative or depressed position closing and elevating thelower contact of the switch to permit the latching finger to move to itslatching position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6 following release of thepiano key and illustrating the latching finger in latching position tohold the switch in closed position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8--3 of FIG. 3 andillustrating the construction of the latching finger and clamping bar;

PEG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary rear View of the clamping bar and aplurality of latchirn fingers depending therefrom, viewed from the rightof FIG. 8 or the top of PEG. 3, and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a circuit diagram including the electricchord and run playing mechanism and the memory latch means.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a typicalmodern upright spinet type piano is illustrated therein and includes acabinet or casing generally indicated at 2ft. This casing includes theusual cover 21 for enclosing the various piano actions and stringsstruck thereby (not shown), an upper front panel 22, a lower front panel23 and a pair of checks 24 extending forwardly from each end of thecabinet. These cheeks 24 are supported at their front ends by means ofthe usual legs 25, and such cheeks are spanned by the usual keyboard 25composed of eighty eight keys including the black keys 2'7 and the whitekeys 28. A cover 3d is also provided for protecting the rear ends of thekeys, and as shown in FIG. 1, this cover is partially broken away toillustrate portions of the inventive memory latch means to be describedbelow.

The piano is also provided with the usual music stand 31 supported onthe rear end of keyboard cover 30, and at its lower end, the lower frontpanel 23 of the piano is recessed to provide for the usual soft pedal 32on the left,

a as middle pedal 33 and sustaining or damper pedal 34 on the right. Aswill be explained below, the damper edal 34, or alternatively, themiddle pedal 33 has an important function in the operation of theinventive memory latch means.

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, a special housing 35 is provided at thefront end of the keyboard 2s for an electric chord playing means orcontrol unit generally indicated at 36, such means including two rowseach of twelve bass note playing buttons or switches 37 and four rowseach of twelve chord playing buttons or switches Housing 35 alsocontains an electric run playing cans generally indicated at 49 andincluding any desired number of run playing switches or keys 41. Housing35 is also preferably provided with a combination on-cff and volumecontrol switch of the rheostat type and also a pilot light 43 for theconvenience of the person playing the piano.

Basically, the chord and run playing means referred to herein are thesame as those described and claimed in my aforesaid application SerialNo. 794,902 to which reference may be made for a more detaileddescription of such means.

Referring to FlG. 4, there is illustrated therein atypical key and itsoperative association with a conventional piano action. In addition, asuitable solenoid mounting means and solenoid means for electricallyactuating the action are shown in FIG. 4, together with a preferredembodiment of the inventive memory latch means.

The bed frame for supporting various keys of the keyboard is generallyindicated at 44, and each key such as 27 or 28 is pivotally mounted onsuch bed frame by means of a center pin 45 projecting upwardly from aboss on the frame. At its front end, each key is guided by a front pin47 extending upwardly from another boss 48 on the frame 44. At its rearend, each key rests upon a suitable bed St on the frame, and isconnected to its corresponding action, generally indicated at 51, bymeans of a capstan plate 52 secured to the top rear end of the key by acapstan screw 53. The capstan plate 52 is provided with a hollow grommet54- receiving a sticker screw 55 suitably threaded into the upper end ofa sticker or abstract so, the latter being pivotally connected at itslower end to the front end of the whip 57.

The whip is suitably connected to the hammer 58 of the action, and uponactuation of a key 2 7 or 28, the sticker 56 causes the correspondingwhip 57 to pivot about its rear end in a clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 4 ereby causing the hammer 55 to move to the right and to strikeits corresponding string so. At the same time, the whip causes thedamper mechanism generally indicated at d1 to momentarily move to theoff position away from the string for proper sounding of the desirednote. The aforedescribe structure and operation of the key and actionare conventional and well understood by those skilled in the art.

Likewise, if it is desired that the note struck be sustained, thesustaining pedal 34 illustrated in HS. 2 is depressed and by suitableconnection (not shown) to the damper mechanism 61, holds the latter inthe olf position. This sustaining structure and operation is alsoconventional, but does play an important part in the operation of theinventive memory latch means described below.

Continuing with FIG. 4, the means for electrically actuating the action51 will now be described. Such means preferably includes solenoidmounting means generally indicated at 62 and solenoid means generallyindicated at 63, energization of the latter causing actuation of theaction. This solenoid means and mounting means there for are preferablyof the type disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No.86,916 filed February 3, 1961 now Patent No. 3,126,783 and entitledSolenoid Means and Solenoid Mounting Means for Pianos, and reference tosuch application may be made for a more detailed description thereof.

The solenoid mounting means 62 preferably includes an upright supportpanel 64- which extends transversely of the juxtaposed Whips 5'? of thevarious actions 51, and mounted on the support panel are a pin ality ofvertically spaced and generally horizontal lower clamping bars as. Eachsuch bar is preferably channel shaped in cross secion and is providedwith a plurality of suitable means such as screws as for fastening thebar to the front flat surface of the panel, and these screws areadiustable for varying the generally normal movement of the bar relativeto the panel and the clamping action of the bar with respect thereto.

At its upper end, the support panel 64 is provided with a horizontal andelongated shelf 67 extending transversely of the whips 57, such shelfbeing secured to the front face of panel as by any suitable means (notshown). Spaced below the shelf is elongated upper clamping bar which isarranged for movement generally normal to the shelf and is secured topanel by suitable means such as crews 76', which screws are adjustablefor varying the clamping action of the bar with respect to shelf 67.Adjustably interposed between the shelf and the upper clamping bar are aplurality of juxtaposed guide members 711 (only one of which is shown).Each such guide membcr has its inner end clamped between the bar andshelf and its outer end protruding frontwardly therefrom and arrangedlongitudinally of and beneath the corresponding whip 57. The shelf 67 isalso provided with a cushioning member 72 on its upper su f? e forsupporting the striking portion of the solenoid means to be describedbelow.

There are actually three solenoid means as illustrated, and eachincludes a generally rectangular casing 73 provided at its lower rearend with one or more tongues 74 adjustably interposed between the upperflange of the corresponding lower clamping bar 65 one the support panel64. Each casing '73 is also preferably provided with a lower gulidemeans 75 at its front end for controlling the movement of a solenoidarmature rod. Arranged within each casing is a solenoid coil meansgenerally indicated at 76, and reciprocally mounted within such coilmeans is a vertically arran ed armature 77 to which is connected anarmature rod. Actually portions of three armature rods are shown, thelongest being indicated at 755a, the one of intermediate length at 75.5and the shortest at 78c. These armature rods reciprocate verticallythrough the corresponding upper and lower guide means '7]. and 75, andare severally provided with laterally offset lower end portions 89a, band 0, respectively, which are suitably secured to the various armatures77, as well as in turned upper end portions 551a, Z2 and 0, respectively(3i only being shown), each of wh ch is provided with a resilientstriking member 32 resting upon the cushioning member '72.

As described in detail in my aforesaid copending application Serial No.86,916, the staggered arrangement of the solenoid means in severalhorizontal rows, including the variation in length of he armature rods,permits the various striking heads 32 to be located in juxtapositionseverally ed with their respective whips, such as 57. Upon ener v tionof solenoid means 63, the striking member 82 therefor moves upwardly andcauses its correspon whip $7 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewedin PEG. 4 to actuate the hamme 58 of the action 51, just as when thepiano key is actuated, as described above.

As also seen in PEG. 3, which is an enlargement of the broken awayportion of FIG. 1, a plurality of normally open horizontal latchingswitches, severally indicated generally at 33, are arranged above therear ends of certain of the black and w .ite keys Z7 and 23,respectively, longitudinally thereof and in juxtaposition thereto. Eachsuch switch 83 includes an upper contact and a lower contact 85vertically s aced therebelow, the lower contact being provided at itsrear or inner end with an upstandonscreen ing flange 86 as shown in FIG.4. The switches may be suitably secured in their desired positions to agenerally horizontal and elongated bar 87 by means of screws 88. Thisbar 37 is arranged to extend transversely of the keys 27, 2b, and may besecured to the piano frame 20 in any suitable manner (not shown).

While such switches 83 are normally open, they are closed upon actuationof their corresponding piano keys 27 or 23, and this result is producedby means of a capstan screw $3 projecting upwardly from each key andadapted to forcibly close the contacts 314, 35, as shown in FIG. 6.

Continuing with FIG. 4 and also referring to FIGS. 3, it and 9, thememory latch means constituting a preferred embodiment of the inventionwill now be described. This memory latch means is generally indicated atfill and includes a horizontally elongated support plate 92 providedwith a rearwardly facing flat surface 92a and extending transversely ofcertain keys 27, 28. At its upper longitudinal edge, the support plateS32 is provided with an elongated pivot bar E 3 which is pivotallymounted in suitable blocks or trunnions (only one of which is shown),and which blocks may be secured to the piano frame Zti in any suitablemanner (not shown). As so arranged, the support plate 92; pivots about agenerally horizontal axis extending transversely of the piano keysthereabove.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of juxtaposed and elongated,resilient latch fingers 95 engage the rear frame surface 92a of supportbar 92. and extend generally vertically downwardly therefrom. At itsupper end portion each finger 95 is provided with a pair of verticallyspaced, lateral ears or flanges as, and at its lower end the fingerterminates in a generally horizontal and forwardly facing flange orlatch 97 which, as shown in FIG. 4-, is normally arranged opposite toand spaced from the upstanding flange 86 on lower contact 85 of thecorresponding switch S3.

The latch fingers 95 are severally secured to the support plate 92 bymeans of an elongated and generally horizontal clamping bar 9% which ispreferably channel shaped in cross section, its lower flange 98a beingshorter than its upper flange 9% and spaced from surface 92a of supportplate @2. This lower flange 98a is received between the ears 96 of eachfinger 95, and the clamping action of the bar with respect to supportplate 92 is varied by a plurality of suitable means, such as screws 1%,which pass through unthreaded holes in the bar between its flanges andinto alined threaded holes in the support plate. As will be apparent, byloosening the screws we, the latch finges may be readily adjustedtransversely of and alined with their respective switches 83. Like wise,the ears as serve to properly locate the fingers 35 laterally of thesupport plate 92, and also permit such transverse adjustment of thefingers, while maintaining their desired location laterally of thesupport plate, for proper engagement with the switches $3, as will bedescribed more in detail below.

Referring back to FIG. 4-, it will be noted that a leaf spring lidl issecured at one end to trunnion $4 and has its other end biased againstthe support plate 92 for pivoting the latter rearwardly and therebymaintaining the flanges 97 on the lower ends of latching fingers 95 inspaced relation to the upstanding flanges 86 on switches 83. Likewise,an elongated and generally horizontal stop bar or rod 1% is provided forlimiting the rearward movement of the various fingers 95, and this barmay be secured to the piano frame Ztl in any suitable manner, not shown.

The preferred embodiment of the inventive memory latch means alsoincludes a solenoid, generally indicated at 133, which is suitablysupported on the bar 87 and includes a generally horizontal,reciproca-ble armature W4 having an armature rod res pivotally connectedat its outer or rear end with the pivotal support plate 92 by means ofone or more flanges 1% extending forwardly therefrom. Circuit means areprovided for energizing the solenoid It)? and include a power input lineIll! and a ground line 11%, the former line including a normally openswitch filth, upon closing of which the solenoid 103 is energized.

Actually, switch lltl is preferably closed by depression of thesustaining pedal 34 referred to previously, this being a naturalfunction of the person playing the piano, because it is normal practiceto depress the sustaining pedal when the note sounded is desired to besustained. Alternatively, or in addition, the input line 1G7 may also beprovided with a similar normally open switch 111, indicated in dottedlines in FIG. 4, and if desired, this switch may be located beneath andclosed by actuation of the middle pedal 33, illustrated in FIG. 2. Thisalternative switching arrangement is desirable when playing chromaticscales, which would sound quite dissonant with the dampers off, it beingapparent that operation of the sustaining pedal 34 also moves thedampers to the off position.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 in particular, the operation of the inventivememory latch means will now be described. As seen in FIG. 4, both thepiano key 28 and the resilient latch fingers on the pivotal supportplate )2 are at rest or deactuated. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the switch116 or ill has been closed to energize the solenoid 163, whereby thesupport plate 92 pivots to the left and causes the latch 97 on eachfinger 95 to engage or abut against the corresponding upstanding flangeas on the lower contact S4 of the corresponding switch 83. Thus, it willbe apparent that unless the piano key is actuated to close the normallyopen latch switch 83, closing of switch or lill will only cause thelatch finger @5 to abut against the sti l open switch.

Referring now to H6. 6, the piano key 2% has been actuated, whereuponthe capstan screw 9% forces the lower contact $5 into engagement withthe upper contact 84, thereby closing the switch 83. Since the solenoidHi3 has been energized, the latch finger '55 moves underneath the closedswitch 83 into operative position. Thus, when the piano key 2% isreleased, the flange or latch 97 on finger 95 remains in latchingengagement with the lower contact 35' and maintains the switch 83closed.

in elfect then, the inventive latching means remembers a certain note ornotes which have been played to enable the playing of run notes both inharmony with and including those notes which have been played,whilepermitting the actuated note playing keys 27, if to be released.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the electrical circuitry for the inventivememory latch means, chord playing means and run playing means will bedescribed. This circuitry includes any suitable DC. power supplygenerally indicated at 112, a power supply line 113 and a power returnor main ground line li t, the input lead 1Q? for pedal switches lit andill of the inventive memory latch means being connected to supply line113 and the output lead 1658 from latch solenoid 11% being connected toreturn line 13.4.

As will be noted, most of the keyboard 26 is illustrated schematicallywith reference to the various notes, and a portion of the keyboard isdesignated as a control octave. Actually, this octave includes fifteennotes ranging from D above middle C to C below middle C, inclusive, anda normally open latching switch $3 is provided for each key in thisoctave.

There are actually twelve parallel individual circuits 1154.26 severallyconnected to the supply line 113 and severally including the variouslatching switches 33, the switches corresponding to the last three notesC, D flat and D at the lower or left hand end of the control octavemerely being added in parallel to the circuits 115, 116 and 117,respectively, which correspond to middle C, D flat and D thereabovc. The.eads from the three lower 7 switches are designated at 115', lid and5,17, respectively.

These individual circuits 1 45426 severally include the run playingswitches 41 severally connected in series with the correspondinglatching switches 33, and the circuits are completed by the chordplaying solenoids whicl are designated as 63c, and are twelve in number.in addition, each of the individual circuits 115 126 includes parallelbranches having the same numbers followed by the subscripts a d and suchparallel branches severally including additional run playing switchesidentical to those numbered ll, but severally designated by thesubscripts ad. For example, in tracing the individual circuitcorresponding to the key for playing middle C, one would follow thecircuit line lllfi through normally open latching switch 533 andnormally open run switch 41 to the corresponding solenoid 630. Intracing the parallel branches of this particular circuit, one wouldfollow back from the run switch 41 along circuit line 115, first tobranch line Illlla and through run playing switch 41b to thecorresponding run playing solenoid 63r, the latter being connected tothe main ground line did, next from line 115 through branch line 1151)and run switch 410 to the corresponding run solenoid, and finallythrough branch line ride and run switch did to the correspond ing runsolenoid.

Likewise, ta 'ing the circuit for the key corresponding to the note 8immediately below middle C, one would follow line 126 through latchingswitch $3 and run playing switch to the corresponding chord solenoid636. Then tracing tr e parallel branches, one would backtrack along linefrom run playing switch 41, first through branch line 126a and runswitch lla to corresponding solenoid 63;, second through branch line126b, run switch 41b to corresponding run solenoid, and finally throughbranch line 1266 and run switch die to the corresponding run solenoid.

In addition, it one were to trace the individual circuit for the key forplaying the note F below mi dle C, he would trace alo individual circuitline 12% through a latching switch 83 and run playing switch i-Li to thecorresponding solenoid Then, in tracing the parallel branches, he wouldbacktrack along line from run switch 41, first through branch line 12th:including run switch did to the run olenoid, next through branch line12% and run switch 41!) to its solenoid, third through branch line ii Eta and run switch die to the corresponding solenoid, and finally throughbra line mild and run switch 410' to the corresponding run solenoid632'.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the individual circuitslll26 are provided with a plurality of parallel branches varying innumber, the circuit for note middle C and note B below middle C havingthree parallel branches while the circuit for note F below middle C hasfour middle branches. Each branch for each circuit associates thesolenoid 63c of that circuit with the run solenoid 632 for the note in ahigher octave corresponding to the note in the control octave.

Thus, assume that the note middle C is played in the control octave.Whether note he played mechanically by -ressing a piano hey such asmanually or by actuating tie key and its corresponding actionelectrically through solenoid means 63c, for example, the correspondinglatching switch 83 is closed by such actuation.

f either one of the pedal switches lltl or ill is closed, thecorresponding latching finger 95 maintains the switch 83 closedfollowing release or deactuation of the piano key, As a result, theindividual circuit 115 is enabled, and upon closing its sequence runplaying switch ll corresponding to the note middle C, as well as runswitches 43!), 41c and 41a corresponding to the notes C in successivehigher octaves, a run of C notes is played, both including middle C inthe control octave as well as the corresponding C notes in thesuccessive higher octaves in harmony therewith.

The same result is obtained if a chord is played in the control octave,as the latching fingers corresponding to the notes of the chord willmaintain thelatching switches closed and enable those individualcircuits for the playing of runs of notes both in harmony with andincluding the notes of the chords in the control octave. All of this isaccomplished following release of the piano keys originally striking thenotes in the control octave.

in view of the fact that it is preferred that switch lltl employed toenergize the solenoid lttl3 of the inventive latching means, this switchlid is operatively associated with the sustaining pedal to facilitatesuch playing of runs, because normally when a chord is played, thesustaining pedal is depressed to hold the chord. On the other hand, if achromatic scale or scales are to be played, the alternative switch illcould be used by actuating the middle pedal 33, thereby leaving thedampers on to avoid dissonance.

continuin with HS. 10, the electrical circuitry also preferably includesthe electrical chord playing means or control unit diagrammaticallyillustrated at 36. For playing chords within the control octave, thechord playing means includes twelve individual circuits l35-1ddseverally connected to the individual latching circuits -126,respectively, each connection being made in series between thecorresponding run playing switch 41 and the chord playing solenoid Theseindividual chord plcying circuits closed by tie chord playing button orswitches 38, the latter being arranged in four rows, with twelveswitches per row, 0' ly four switches per row being shown in FIG. 10 forclarity. Thus, upon depression of one of the switches or buttons 33, apredetermined plurality of the individual chord note circuits -146 aresimultaneously closed to energize the corresponding solenoids 636, whichsolenoids, in turn, actuate the corresponding action and sound thedesired notes of the chord of the control octave. A more detaileddescription of this structure and operation is contained in my aforesaidapplication Serial No. 794,902.

It will be noted that there are only twelve individual chord notecircuits l35l.4d, and thus, when electrically playing chords in thecontrol octave, the notes are limited to the twelve notes beginning withD above middle to E fiat below middle C, inclusive. Likewise, the runsare limited to such twelve notes within t e control octave. The reasonfor having the three additional notes below E flat is to permit one whois manually playing the lreys of the control octave to have a greaterrange, as it is sometimes dillicult to limit the manual playing of thechords precisely to the twelve basic notes of the control octave.

While the aforedescribcd is a preferred embodiment of the invention, itwill be apparent that the chord solenoids 63c could be extended toinclude these three notes at the lower end of the control octave, andthat the corresponding run switches ll could also be supplied to expandthe runs to include these three notes. Actually, if desired, thesolenoids 63c could be extended over the entire keyboard, as could thelatching switches 83 and the run playing switches 41. However, fornormal playing of t is piano, this is not necessary.

Referring back to the chord playing means 36, it will also be noted thattwelve additional individual circuits are provided, and each is numbered15%. These circuits are connected "to the so-called bass solenoids i230associated with the keys for a bass octave are closed by the twelve bassswitches or buttons 37 in the upper two rows of the chord control unit36, only four buttons in each row being shown in FIG. 10 for clarity. Asdescribed in greater detail in my aforesaid application Serial No.794,902, these bass note playing buttons or switches 3'7 facilitate theplaying of chromatic scales in the bass octave.

The chord playing means 36 is conveniently connected to the power supplyline 113 by means of the lead 151.

arson i9 From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the inventivememory latch means is useable whether the chords in the control octaveare played manually by depressing keys, or electrically by means of thechord playing means 36. Further, it will be apparent that the presentinvention possesses a definite advantage over the sustaining meansemployed in my aforesaid application Serial No. 794,902, because thekeys in the chord control octave need not remain depressed or actuatedwhile playing the runs, by depressing the juxtaposed run playingswitches 41, 41a, 4111, etc. This permits the extension of the runs downas far as desired into the deeper and more mellow section of thekeyboard including the control octave itself, and permits the tempo ofthe left hand to. keep moving steadily, even though a run is beingplayed with the right hand.

Furthermore, the employment of the usual sustaining pedal 34 for closingthe switch 11% in the latching means circuit follows the normal pianoplaying technique of sustaining a chord struck, and is a naturalfunction for which no additional training is required on the part of theperson plrying the piano. In addition, it will be noted that theconstruction of the memory latch means, particularly the clamping bar 98and the latching fingers 95, facilitates the adjustment of the latchingfingers transversely of and into alinement with the correspondinglatching switches 83, regardless of the spacing of the groups of keys,which spacing varies from one piano manufacturer to another. Thisfeature makes the inventive memory latch means truly universal incharacter, in that it can be readily aiapted for use for most any makeof piano.

Finally, the locking engagement between the flanges or cars 96 providedon the inner end portions or" each latching finger and the lower flange93a of the clamping bar not only serves to properly locate the latchingfingers laterally of the pivotal support plate for proper cooperationwith the latching switches 83, but also permits the desired transverseadjustment and alinemen't of the latching fingers with the latchingswitches, while maintaining the desired lateral location of the latchingfingers.

While the invention has been described and illustrated herein withreference to a single preferred embodiment, it is to be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein by thoseskilled inthe art without departing from the invention, the scope of which is tobe determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. in a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for an octave and each of said solenoidswhen energized being arranged to actuate its companion note playingmeans, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit means connectedto said source and solenoids and including first and second normallyopen switch means, said first switch means being closed upon actuationof the corresponding note playing means of said octave, said secondswitch means being selectively closeable manually, and memory latchmeans selectively operable for maintaining said first switch meansclosed following actuation and de-actuation of said corresponding noteplaying means.

2. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding notesecond normally open switch means, said first switch means being closedupon actuation of the corresponding note playing mcansot' said oneoctave, said second 1i) switch means being selectively closeablemanually, and memory latch means selectively operable for maintainingsaid first switch means closed following actuation and tie-actuation ofsaid corresponding note playing means of said one octave.

3. in a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding noteplaying means of another octave and including first and second normallyopen switch means arranged in series, said first switch means beingclosed upon actuation of the corresponding note playing means of saidone octave, said second switch means being selectively closeablemanually, and memory latch means selectively operable for maintainingsaid first switch means closed following actuation and tie-actuation ofsaid corresponding note playing means of said one octave.

4. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source or" electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding noteplaying means of another octave and including first, second and thirdnormally switch means, said first switch means being closed uponactuation of the corresponding note playing means of said one octave,said second and third switch means being selectively closeable manually,and memory latch means selectively operable for maintaining said firstswitch means closed following actuation and tie-actuation of saidcorresponding note playing means of said one octave.

5. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding noteplaying means of another octave and including first, second and thirdnormally ope switch means, said first switch means being arrangedinseries with said second and third switch means and being closed uponactuation of the corresponding note pla ing means of said one octave,said second and third switch means being selectively closed manually,and memory latch means selectively operable for maintaining said firstswitch means closed following actuation and tie-actuation of saidcorresponding note playing means of said one octave.

In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding noteplaying means of another octave and including first, sec- 0nd and thirdnormally open switch means, said first switch means being closed uponactuation of the corresponding note playing loans of said one octave,said secend and third swit h means being arranged in parallel and beingselectively closeable manually, and memory l l latch means selectivelyoperable for maintaining said first switch means closed followingactuation and de-actuation of said corresponding note playing means ofsaid one octave.

7. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, individual circuit meansconnected to said source and associating the solenoid for each noteplaying means of one octave with the solenoid for the corresponding noteplaying means of another octave and including first, second and thirdnormally open switch means, said first switch means being arranged inseries with said second and third switch means and being closed uponactuation of the corresponding note playing means of said one octave,said second and third switch means being arranged in parallel and beingselectively closeable manually, and memory latch means selectivelyoperable for maintaining said first switch means closed followingactuation and tie-actuation of said corresponding note playing means ofsaid one octave.

8. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, a plurality of individualcircuit means arranged in parallel and severally connected to saidsource, each individual circuit means associating the solenoid for eachnote playing means of one octave with the solenoid for the correspondingnote playing means of another octave and each including first, secondand third normally open switch means, said first switch means beingarranged in series with said second and third switch means and beingclosed upon actuation of the corresponding note playing means of saidone octave, said second and third switch means being arranged inparallel and being selectively closeable manually, and memory latchmeans selectively operable for maintaining each of said first switchmeans closed following actuation and de-actuation of each of saidcorresponding note playing means of said one octave.

9. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of individual noteplaying means, a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associatedwith said note playing means for more than one octave and each of saidsolenoids when energized being arranged to actuate its companion noteplaying means, a source of electrical energy, run playing meansincluding a plurality of individual run circuit means arranged inparallel and severally connected to said source, each individual runcircuit means associating the solenoid for each note playing means ofone octave with the solenoid for the corresponding note playing means ofanother octave and each including first, second and third normally openswitch means, said first switch means being arranged in series with saidsecond and third switch means and being closed upon actuation of thecorresponding note playing means of said one octave, said second andthird switch means being arranged in parallel and being selectivelycloseable manually, chord playing means including a plurality ofindividual circuit means arranged in parallel and severally connected tosaid source and said individual run circuit means between said secondswitch means and the solenoids for the corresponding note playing meansof said one octave, said chord playing means having a plurality ofnormally open switch means selectively closeable manually forsimultaneously closing a plurality of individual chord circuit means andthereby simultaneously energizing a plurality of the solenoids foractuating the corresponding note playing means of said one octave, andmemory latch means selectively operable for maintaining each of saidfirst switch means closed following actuation and de-actuation of eachof said corresponding note playing means of said one octave.

10. In a piano, the combination comprising note playin means, normallyopen switch means closed upon actuation of said note playing means, andmemory latch means for maintaining said switch means closed followingactuation and de-actuation of said note playing means and comprisingfinger means moveable into latching engagement with said switch meanswhen closed, solenoid means energizable for so moving said finger means,a source of electrical energy and circuit means connected to said sourceand including normally open switch means selectively closeable forenergizing said solenoid means.

11. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of juxtaposedindividual note playing means, a plurality of juxtaposed normally openswitch means severally operatively associated with said note playingmeans and closed upon actuation of the corresponding ones of said noteplayin means, and memory latch means for severally maintaining saidswitch means closed following actuation and de-actuation of saidcorresponding note playing means and comprising moveable support means,a plurality of juxtaposed finger means engaging said support means, barmeans clamping said finger means to said support means, solenoid meansoperatively associated with said support means and energizable formoving said finger means severally into latching engagement with thecorresponding ones of said switch means when closed, a source ofelectrical energy and circuit means connected to said source andincluding normally open switch means selectively closeable forenergizing said solenoid means.

12. In a piano, the combination comprising a key, a normally open switchclosed upon actuation of said key, and memory latch means formaintaining said switch closed following actuation and de-actuation ofsaid key and comprising a movable support having a fiat surface, aclamping bar opposing said fiat surface, a finger adjustably interposedbetween said flat surface and clamping bar, a solenoid operativelyassociated with said support and energizable for moving said finger intolatching cngagement with said switch when closed, a source of electricalenergy and a circuit connected to said source and including a normallyopen switch selectively closeable for energizing said solenoid.

13. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of juxtaposedkeys, a plurality of juxtaposed normally open switches severallyopcratively associated with said keys and each closed upon actuation ofthe corresponding one of said keys, and memory latch means for severallymaintaining said switches closed following actuation and de-actuation ofsaid corresponding keys and comprising a movable support having a fiatsurface and arranged transversely of said switches, a clamping bararranged transversely of said switches and opposing said flat surface,means fastening said clamping bar to said support and being adjustableto vary the clamping action of said bar with respect to said support, aplurality of juxtaposed fingers each having one end clamped between saidflat surface and clamping bar and its other end protruding laterallyoutwardly therefrorn opposite the corresponding one of said switches, asolenoid operatively associated with said support and energizable formoving said fingers severally into latching engagement with saidswitches when closed, a source of electrical energy and a circuitconected to said source and including a normally open switch selectivelycloseable for energizing said solenoid.

14. In a piano, the combination comprising a key, a normally open switcharranged longitudinally of and closed by said key upon actuationthereof, and memory latch means for maintaining said switch closedfollowing actuation and de-actuation of said key and comprising apivotally movable support having a fiat surface and being arrangedtransversely of said key and switch, a clamping bar of generally channelshaped cross-section arranged transversely of said key and switch andhaving its flanges opposing said flat surface, means fastening said barto said support and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of saidbar with respect to said flat surface, a resilient finger having one endclamped between said flat surface and bar and its other end protrudinglaterally outwardly therefrom opposite and normally spaced from saidswitch, a solenoid including a reciprocable armature rod connected tosaid support and being energizable for pivoting said finger toward andinto latching engagement with said switch when closed, resilent meansoperatively associated with said support for maintaining said fingerspaced from said switch when said solenoid is deenergized, a source ofelectrical energy and a circuit connected to said source and including anormally open switch selectively closeable for energizing said solenoid.

15. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of generallyhorizontal keys arranged in juxtaposition, a plurality of normally openand generally horizontal switches severally operatively associated withsaid keys and arranged in juxtaposition longitudinally above the rearends of the corresponding ones of said keys and being severally closedby said corresponding keys upon actuation thereof, each switch includinga vertically spaced pair of contacts with the lower contact terminatingat one end in an upstanding flange and being moved upwardly intoengagement'with the upper contact by its corresponding key, and memorylatch means for severally maintaining said switches closed followingactuation and de-actuation of said keys and comprising an elongatedsupport having a generally vertical flat surface and being arranged forpivotal movement about a generally horizontal longitudinal axisextending transversely above said switches, an elongated and generallyhorizontal clamping bar of generally channel shaped cross-sectionarranged transversely above said switches and having its flangesopposing said flat surface with its lower flange being narrower than itsupper flange and spaced from said flat surface, a plurality of meansseverally extending through said bar between said flanges and into saidsupport for fastening said bar thereto and being adjustable to vary theclamping action of said bar with respect to said flat surface, aplurality of elongated and generally vertical resilient fingers arrangedin juxtaposition and each having its inner end clamped between saidlower flange of said bar and flat surface and its outer end protrudingdownwardly therefrom and terminating in a generally horizontal flangeopposing and normally spaced from the corresponding upstanding lowercontact flange, a solenoid including a reciprocal armature rod connectedto said support and being energizable for pivoting said fingers towardsaid switches, whereupon said horizontal finger flanges severally abutsaid upstanding lower contact fianges when said switches are open andseverally move beneath said upstanding contact flanges into latchingengagement with said lower contacts when said switches are closed,resilient means operatively associated with said support for maintainingsaid fingers spaced from said switches when said solenoid isdeenergized, a source of electrical energy and a circuit connected tosaid source and including a normally open switch selectively closeablefor energizing said solenoid.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said inner end of each latchfinger is provided with a vertically spaced pair of ears receiving saidlower flange of said clamping bar, whereby said fingers may be movedtransversely of and severally alined with said switches upon adjustmentof said fastening means while maintaining the location of said fingerslaterally of said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,603,871 Sandell Oct. 19, 1926 1,665,593 Klein Apr. 10, 1928 1,811,076Cooper June 23, 1931 1,831,734 Arostegui Nov. 10, 1931 2,919,619Munzfeld Ian. 5, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 228,608 Great Britain Feb. 5, 1925

1. IN A PIANO, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL NOTEPLAYING MEANS, A PLURALITY OF SOLENOIDS SEVERALLY OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATEDWITH SAID NOTE PLAYING MEANS FOR AN OCTAVE AND EACH OF SAID SOLENOIDSWHEN ENERGIZED BEING ARRANGED TO ACTUATE ITS COMPANION NOTE PLAYINGMEANS, A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, INDIVIDUAL CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTEDTO SAID SOURCE AND SOLENOIDS AND INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND NORMALLYOPEN SWITCH MEANS, SAID FIRST SWITCH MEANS BEING CLOSED UPON ACTUATIONOF THE CORRESPONDING NOTE PLAYING MEANS OF SAID OCTAVE, SAID SECONDSWITCH MEANS BEING SELECTIVELY CLOSEABLE MANUALLY, AND MEMORY LATCHMEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE FOR MAINTAINING SAID FIRST SWITCH MEANSCLOSED FOLLOWING ACTUATION AND DE-ACTUATION OF SAID CORRESPONDING NOTEPLAYING MEANS.